Archery arrow nock



Oct. 26, 1965 Q A ND 3,214,174

ARCHERY ARROW NOCK Filed May 16, 1962 /6 /2 1 FIG.2 116 /4 INVENTOR. CHARLES A. SAUNDERS {wg wyf w- United States Patent 3,214,174 ARCHERY ARROW NUCK Charles A. Saunders, Box 102, Columbus, Nebr. Filed May 16, 1962, Ser. No. 195,143 Claims. (Cl. 273106.5)

This invention relates to arrows used in archery, and more particularly, to an arrow nock component which accommodates bow strings of various sizes.

Arrows are constructed with nocks or notches in their ends for receiving bow strings therein. Customarily, a nock of fixed dimension is cut transversely across the end of the arrow. The nock end is strong and rigid, and frequently is constructed in the form of a separate component secured on the end of the arrow shaft.

It is necessary that the nock end of the arrow be strong and rigid, to withstand the forces encountered and to insure accuracy. This rigidity limits the size or diameter of bow string which may be received in a nock of given dimensions. In particular, a string larger than the nock is crowded or wedged therein with consequent frictional drag on the arrow when it is released. Since the bow strings in use vary substantially in diameter, it is desirable to provide an arrow nock component which is adaptable or self-adjustable to accommodate strings of different diameters, and especially, oversize strings.

Prior to the present invention, arrows have been pro vided with adjustable nock components. However, the adjustable components have been somewhat elaborate, with accompanying increases in cost and manufacturing requirements. With more complex structures, there is also the problem of maintaining consistent reliable performance with repeated use of the arrows.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an arrow nock component which accommodates bow strings of various sizes, and particularly which receives strings of greater thickness or diameter than the width of the nock while retaining the desired performance and structural characteristics.

Another object is to provide a nock component which is self-adjustable to accommodate oversize bow strings, and which is simply and economically constructed and operates reliably with repeated use.

An additional object is to provide a construction accomplishing the foregoing objects which is adaptable to existing arrows and nock components thereof, and particularly, which necessitates only the provision of a stress relief opening therein.

A further object is to provide a self-adjustable arrow nock member which may be mounted on the shaft of an arrow in a conventional manner, and which thereafter functions in the same general way as existing nock constructions.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent on reference to the specification and to the attached drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which like parts are identified by like reference symbols in each of the views, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an arrow embodying the nock component of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a much enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing the nock end thereof, corresponding to the part of the arrow encircled in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a similarly enlarged plan view of the nock end, partly broken away and in section adjacent the nock thereof; and

FIGURE 4 is a view similar to FIGURE 2, showing an oversize bow string received in the nock and the resulting resilient flexing of the nock component to accommodate the string.

The nock component of the invention includes a pair of end portions defining a nock between them, and means forming an opening extending transversely through the arrow, whereby when an oversize bow string is received in the nock, the end portions flex resiliently to accommodate the string.

Referring to the drawings, an arrow embodying the invention is generally indicated by the number 10 in FIGURE 1. The arrow is constructed in a suitable conventional manner of a shaft 12, a head 14, and feathers 16. Referring to FIGURES 2-4, a nock component or element 18 is firmly secured in conventional manner to the butt end 20 of the shaft 12. The shaft 12, which is conventionally formed of wood, is provided with a male tapered end 13M (conventionally of 11 taper, see angle A in FIGURES 2 and 3). The nock element 18 has a corresponding female tapered sleeve 13F to receive the male tapered end 13M. In conventional arrow construction, the assembly of the shaft 12 and the nock element 18 is achieved by a gluing operation. In such a glue fastening, it is preferred to provide the sleeve 13F with a glue well 15 such that a residual quantity of glue may be placed in the tapered sleeve 13F without danger of losing excess glue by oozing pressure as the tapered end 13M is placed in the tapered sleeve 13F. Likewise, the tapered sleeve 13F may be corrugated or screw threaded (not shown) to achieve the same effect. The nock component thus forms a secure heel end on the arrow 10.

The nock component 18 includes a body portion 22 which is substantially a continuation of the cylindrical shaft 12, with opposite recessed generally flat sides 24. The recessed sides are provided for gripping the arrow between the fingers in the usual manner. The body 22 includes a female tapered sleeve 13F forming the inner end thereof, as previously described.

A pair of end portions 32 of the nock component 18 are integral with the body portion 22 and extend generally parallelly therefrom as continuations thereof. The nock component is thus a one-piece member which substantially provides a continuation of the shaft 12 and has approximately the same thickness or diameter. The nock component may be constructed of any suitable material such as a rigid resilient plastic, for mounting on the end of a wooden shaft.

The nock component end portions 32 define a nock or transverse notch 34 between them, which is suitably widened at the outer end 35 and which defines a restricted passage 37 immediately interior thereof. A bow string 36 is received in the nock and is seated on a convex base 38 extending between the end portions 32. The base is part of a narrow transverse segment 40 of the body portion 22, which segment interconnects the end portions and is integral therewith.

An elongated transverse stress relief opening 42 is formed in the body portion 22 in alignment with the nock 34 and disposed on the opposite side of the interconnecting segment 46, that is, intermediate the notch 34 and the shaft 12. The opening is centrally disposed in the nock component and, in the illustrative embodiment, is somewhat wider than the nock. The opening is defined by a pair of opposite longitudinally extending substantially flat side walls 44, and a pair of opposite semicylindrical end walls 46 adjoining the side walls. One of the semicylindrical walls forms the inner side of the interconnecting segment 49, and the convex 38 forms the outer side thereof.

When a bow string 36 is finally received in the nock 34, the positions of the nock component portions are substantially as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3. As the bow string 36 enters the nock, the positions of the nock component portions are about as shown in full lines in FIG. 4. During this entry phase, the end portions flex or bend outwardly from their normal positions as shown by the phantom lines in FIGURE 4. Owing to the provision of the stress relief opening 42, the end portions 32 flex resiliently about the interconnecting segment 40 as a fulcrum to accommodate the bow string. The outward flexing of the end portions produces an inward flexing of body portions 48 adjacent the fiat walls 44 of the opening and on the opposite side of the fulcrum provided by the segment 40. Similarly, the side walls 44 of the relief opening flex inwardly. In this manner, the stresses occasioned by the outward flexing or spreading apart of the end portions 32 are relieved, so that the end portions adjust to accommodate the bow string. The string is accommodated without producing objectionable drag on the arrow when released. The stress limits of the nock component 18 and especially of the end portions 32 and adjoining portions are not exceeded, and the portions of the nock component return to their original positions when the bow string 36 is finally received in the notch 34, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3.

Further-more, it should be apparent that when an oversized bow string is utilized, the final position of the string and nock element may be that shown in full lines in FIG- URE 4, that is, an oversized string which does not clear the restricted passage 37 may nonetheless be retained within the notch 34 in the resiliently deformed position shown in full lines in FIGURE 4.

The nock component 18 may be constructed very simply and economically by providing the stress relief opening 42 in a standard type of nock component, by suitable means such as molding or die-punching. The nock component advantageously is constructed as a separate element to be mounted on the shaft of an arrow. Alternatively, it may constitute an integral part of a shaft.

The invention thus provides an arrow nock component. which is obviously self-adjusting and stress-relieving by virtue of its design and inherent resiliency to accommodate various sizes of bow strings. It is simple and economical and functions reliably with repeated use.

It will be apparent that changes and modifications may be made in the illustrative embodiment within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An arrow nock adapted to constitute the axial continuation of an arrow shaft, said nock comprising a cylindrical body portion;

a pair of flexible and resilient end portions of said nock extending rearwardly of said body portion and integral therewith to define an elongated bow string re ceiving notch between said end portions, said end portions defining said notch consisting of a material adapted to permit flexing of said end portions;

and wall means forming an opening comprising a through slot extending forwardly of said notch and transversely through said body portion; said notch having a transversely restricted portion intermediate longitudinal ends thereof; whereby when a bow string enters said notch endwise thereof between said flexible end portions and passes through said restricted portion of said notch, said end portions flex resiliently 4} to accommodate the string and to facilitate entrance of said string into said notch, said wall means deforming inwardly into said slot during flexing of said end portions of said nock.

2. An arrow nock comprising a cylindrical body portion;

a pair of flexible and resilient end portions of said nock integral with and extending rearwardly from said body portion to define a string receiving notch therebetween, said notch having a transversely restricted portion intermediate longitudinal ends thereof;

wall means forming an elongated opening extending transversely through said body portion in alignment with said notch and forwardly thereof, a narrow transverse segment of said body portion interconnecting said end portions and separating said notch and said opening;

whereby when a bow string enters said notch, said end portions respond to spreading pressure applied thereto at said restricted portion to flex resiliently about said interconnecting segment as a fulcrum to facilitate entrance of said string into said notch.

3. A nock as defined in claim 2 wherein said body portion includes a sleeve in the forward portion thereof and coaxial therewith for receiving the end of an arrow shaft therein.

4. An arrow including a shaft and having a nock at one end thereof, said nock comprising a pair of rearwardly extending flexible and resilient end portions defining an open-ended notch between them, a narrow transverse segment interconnecting said end portions and integral therewith to form a closed end of said notch; said end portions defining said notch forming a restricted passage intermediate the open end and the closed end of said notch;

wall means forming an opening extending transversely through the nock in alignment with said notch, said opening being within the diametrical limits of the shaft of said arrow and disposed on the side of said interconnecting segment opposite from said notch, whereby when a bow string enters into said notch said end portions respond to transverse pressure applied thereto by said string at said restricted passage to flex resiliently about said interconnecting segment as a fulcrum to accommodate the string and facilitate entrance thereof into said notch.

5. An arrow comprising a shaft having an axial extension in the form of a stress-relieving and self-adjusting nock adaptable to accommodate bow strings of various sizes, said nock comprising an elongated body coaxial with said arrow shaft and of a diameter essentially equal to the diameter of said arrow shaft;

a pair of spaced jaws of a flexible material integrally formed with said body of said nock and unitary therewith, said jaws extending endwise of said body to define an open-ended rearwardly and outwardly expanding slot;

said slot tapering axially inwardly from the said open end thereof to define a restricted passage communicating with an enlarged bow string receiving opening axially therebeyond, inner facing walls of said jaws defining a string receiving notch in said body;

means forming a stress-relieving opening centrally disposed in said body of said nock in axial alignment with said notch and said arrow shaft, said means comprising a pair of opposing side walls of said body integral with said jaws and extending longitudinally forwardly therefrom in planes corresponding respectively to planes of said jaws, and a pair of opposing end walls adjoining said side walls at opposite ends of said stress-relief opening;

and a narrow transverse segment of said body portion bridging between said side walls and separating said notch from said stress-relief opening;

whereby a bow string positioned between said jaws and urged thereagainst and therebetween for introduction into said notch evinces divergent pivotal movement of said jaws about said transverse segment as a fulcrum to spread said jaws and concurrently causes said side wall defining said stressrelief opening to deform inwardly into said stressrelief opening to permit said bow string to pass through said restricted passage to seat in said notch in place preparatory to shooting an arrow.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

1. ANM ARROW NOCK ADAPTED TO CONSTITUTE THE AXIAL CONTINUATION OF AN ARROW SHAFT, SAID NOCK COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL BODY PORTION; A PAIR OF FLEXIBLE AND RESILIENT END PORTIONS OF SAID NOCK EXTENDING REARWARDLY OF SAID BODY PORTION AND INTEGRAL THEREWITH TO DEFINE AN ELONGAGED BOW STRING RECEIVING NOTCH BETWEEN SAID END PORTIONS, SAID END PORTIONS DEFINING SAID NOTCH CONSISTING OF A MATERIAL ADAPTED TO PERMIT FLEXING OF SAID END PORTIONS; AND WALL MEANS FORMING AN OPENING COMPRISING A THROUGH SLOT EXTENMDING FORWARDLY OF SAID NOTCH AND TRANSVERSELY THROUGH SAID BODY PORTION; SAID NOTCH HAVING A TRANSVERSELY RESTRICTED PORTION INTERMEDIATE LONGITUDINAL ENDS THEREOF; WHEREBY WHEN A BOW STRING ENTERS SAID NOTCH ENDWISE THEREOF BETWEEN SAID FLEXIBLE END PORTIONS AND PASSES THROUGH SAID RESTRICTED PORTION OF SAID NOTCH, SAID END PORTIONS FLEX RESILIENTLY TO ACCOMMODATE THE STRING AND TO FACILITATE ENTRANCE OF SAID STRING INTO SAID NOTCH, SAID WALL MEANS DEFORMING INWARDLY INTO SAID SLOT DUING FLEXING OF SAID END PORTIONS OF SAID NOCK. 